More detail on each agenda item is provided below.
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MoCo Government
Founded in 1992, the Keeping It Safe Coalition (KIS) is an alliance of County departments, local organizations and concerned residents that work to deter underage alcohol access and use. The student video contest was funded by the Montgomery County Department of Police’s Traffic Division.
“Alcohol is the most widely used substance among America’s youth and under-21 drinking is a public health problem in the United States,” said ABS Director Kathie Durbin. “Video contests, such as this one, provide students with the opportunity to engage in advocacy with their peers and raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of under-21 drinking.”
“All the members of the Montgomery County Council are heartbroken by the senseless mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas, which has taken the lives of at least 14 students and one teacher. We know there is not a parent in America who doesn’t share in the grief and anger about this horrific tragedy.
“We mourn the loss of the children and the lives that they had ahead of them filled with promise and potential. We are also thinking about the parents, grandparents, siblings and loved ones who have lost the essential light in their lives at the hands of a gunman. We know that no words will ever ease their unimaginable pain.
As a parent and former elementary school teacher, I understand that this is a parent’s worst nightmare. It has been nearly a decade since the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, and it is unfortunate that we are going through this sort of pain once again, but this might have been avoided if we had taken action back then. Every time a tragedy like this happens there is outrage and calls for change, to curb the proliferation of guns. However, that outrage did not result in real action, so now, here we are again.
Incidents like this anywhere undermine people’s sense of security everywhere. We know in the wake of this event, Montgomery County school parents, like all parents around this nation, are going to be concerned for their own child’s safety and welfare. Please know that our police and school system will be working together to do everything we can to ensure the safety of our school community.
“Juneteenth is a chance to gather with our community, celebrate our diversity, and remember our history,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “We reaffirm that we are stronger as a County because of our diversity. This year’s Juneteenth activities are designed to engage and educate, as well as entertain, because this holiday is a reminder that we can’t take freedom for granted. We look to the future with great hope and with a renewed commitment to pursuing justice. I urge our residents, and visitors, to join us for this year’s Juneteenth celebration and spend time learning more about this important national holiday.”
The event will feature traditional events like the award recognition ceremony and Juneteenth inspired food. This year’s “Journey To Freedom,” will Memorialize the Struggle, Celebrate the Successes, and Secure Justice and equality through education, art, dance, music, and honoring our elders.
The Commission strives to improve the lives of women in the County by identifying inequities in legislation and taking proactive measures to create remedies and solutions with elected officials and community groups.
Join the CFW for good music, fun and games. The event is free. Food will be available for purchase. For more information or to register for the event, visit https://cfw50.eventbrite.com.
Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Navarro has endorsed David Blair for County Executive. In a press release from the Blair campaign, Navarro is quoted as saying, “I heartily endorse David Blair for County Executive because I believe he will bring the right leadership ability and experience that will move us forward towards a more innovative and economically vibrant county as he builds on the progress we have made in many crucial areas,” and “This COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated our challenges, but it has also opened exciting opportunities for innovation, equity and shared prosperity. David understands the importance of bringing everyone into the conversation, including traditionally underrepresented communities, and has a proven record of visioning and executing big, bold ideas. This seminal moment requires strong leadership that will leverage our assets in order to expand opportunities for all. We need David’s bold and enterprising leadership in the office of the County Executive.”
Navarro, the first and only Latina to serve on the Montgomery County Council, has represented District 4 since 2009, twice been chosen by her Council colleagues to serve as Council President, and is well known for her strong leadership on expanding early childhood education, advancing economic development in Wheaton and East County, ensuring racial equity and social justice are part of County policymaking, improving fiscal sustainability and government operations, and more throughout her impressive career.
“The Council was delighted that Planning Board Member Rubin reapplied to serve on the Planning Board for a full term, after completing a partial term in this role,” said Council President Gabe Albornoz. “Her experience, professionalism and commitment to the job are outstanding. The Council is grateful for her public service, and we look forward to continuing to work with her on important land use and planning matters that impact our entire community and the future of Montgomery County.”
Ms. Rubin was first appointed to a partial term on the Planning Board in Oct. 2021 after she retired as a special project manager for the Montgomery County Planning Department. Prior to that, she served as acting deputy planning director with oversight responsibility for the Divisions of County wide Planning and Policy, Management Services, Information Technology and Innovation and Research and Strategic Projects.
The new HD channel joins four other County HD channels and nine standard-definition (SD) channels available through Xfinity TV. The channels are part of the Connect Montgomery Alliance (CMA) that provides a variety of programming focused on local issues.
MCPS-TV airs mental health awareness programs such as “Mindful Moments” and “MCPS Waymaking,” as well as live coverage of County Board of Education meetings and Superintendent’s Community Conversations.
CFW Commissioners and representatives from Montgomery County Public Libraries judged over 30 entries ranging from short stories to drawings based on creativity and content. Winners were selected from four categories: elementary, middle, high school, and adult. The 2022 winners and honorable mention recipients are:
Elementary
Montgomery County is providing 40,000 Chromebook computers to residents who do not have a computer. Eventbrite is being used to create appointment tickets to manage computer pick-ups. Every person receiving a computer:
There is a limit of one computer per person. You do not need to be a U.S. Citizen to receive a computer but you must be a Montgomery County resident. EVERY PERSON, INCLUDING CHILDREN, MUST HAVE THEIR OWN APPOINTMENT AND APPEAR ON THEIR APPOINTMENT DAY IN PERSON WITH ID TO RECEIVE A COMPUTER (For Example: If a parent wants a computer for the parent and two computers for two children, the parent must make 3 appointments and bring the two children with ID to receive the computers. If you make an appointment for June 21, you cannot show up on a different day.)